Archive Decision

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Wellington RC 14 March 2020 – R 8 – Chair, Mrs N Moffatt

ID: JCA11728

Applicant:
Mr J Oatham - Chief Stipendiary Steward

Respondent(s):
Mr J Waddell - Class A Rider

Other Person:
Mr N Goodwin - Stipendiary Steward

Information Number:
A12317

Hearing Type:
Hearing

New Charge:
Careless Riding

Rules:
638(1)(d)

Plea:
admitted

Code:
Thoroughbred

Meet Title:
Wellington RC - 14 March 2020

Meet Chair:
NMoffatt

Meet Committee Member 1:
WGendall

Race Date:
2020/03/14

Race Number:
R 8

Decision:

As Mr Waddell admitted the breach, it was deemed to be proved.

Penalty:

Accordingly, Mr Waddell’s license is suspended from the close of racing today Saturday, March 14th up to and including racing on Sunday, March 29th, 2020. In addition, there is a monetary penalty of $1500.00.

Facts:

Following the running of Race 8 (Al Basti Equiworld Dubai New Zealand Oaks), an Information was lodged by Mr J Oatham alleging a breach of Rule 638 (1) (d) in that J Waddell angled his mount JENNIFER ECCLES outwards dictating KAROLINO (J Parkes) outwards onto KAIPAKI ROAD (D Johnson) who was crowded and checked passing the 500 metres.

Mr Waddell confirmed his understanding of the charge and his admission of the breach.

Mr Oatham had Mr Goodwin explain the incident using the videos. He said racing was already very tight as the large field of 18 runners approached the final turn. Mr Waddell (JENNIFER ECCLES), was positioned midfield on the fence when he angled off the running rail near the 500 metres to avoid a tiring runner in front. In doing so, Mr Waddell dictated KAROLINO (Mr Parkes) out onto KAIPAKI ROAD (D Johnson) who was crowded and forced to check. Mr Waddell then clipped a heel of the horse in front of him, SEVEN SEAS, and blundered badly before recovering and going on to win the race.

Mr Waddell said he came from a position on the fence to be in the one-off position. As a result, there was some tightening to other runners. Mr Waddell explained that he was riding the very short-priced favourite in the Oaks and using his words “ if it had been a maiden race there is no way in the world I would have done what I have done.” He said he doesn’t go out in Group 1 races to ride carelessly, but it was a risk you sometimes take in big races.

Submissions for Penalty:

Mr Oatham presented Mr Waddell’s riding record, which showed two previous breaches in the last 12 month period encompassing 223 race day rides.

3/10/19-Waverley-8 days

25/1/20-Ellerslie--6 days (Group 3)

Mr Oatham described Mr Waddell’s level of carelessness today as being around the midrange.

The Committee invited Mr Waddell to make submissions on penalty. He said that compared to previous years, his riding record was very good, and it was something he had been working on improving. In regards to the degree of carelessness, Mr Waddell said he thought it was in the low range as his outward movement was only about 1 metre. It was unfortunate that there were tiring horses and tight racing.

Mr Wadddell advised he could begin any suspension immediately.

Reasons for Penalty:

The Committee considered all submissions.

There was no doubt that Mr Waddell rode carelessly when he angled off the fence on the hot favourite to seek clear racing room. The horse most affected was KAIPAKI ROAD who lost considerable ground when crowded between KAROLINO and the horse to its outside. In addition, Mr Waddell’s actions nearly brought down his own horse when JENNIFER ECCLES a clipped a heel.

We reject Mr Waddell’s assertion that this was a low-level breach. The large field and tight racing should have made Mr Waddell more cautious about moving off the rail. It was our opinion that the breach was at least midrange. Accordingly, we adopted a starting point of 8 days in line with the Judicial Penalty Guide.

There were several aggravating factors requiring an uplift in penalty. The breach occurred in the Group 1 New Zealand Oaks, an iconic black-type race with total stakes of $400,000. Mr Waddell won the race after a manoeuvre he admitted he would not have attempted in a maiden race. In these circumstances, we gave no credit for his admission of the breach. Mr Waddel’s record was treated as a neutral factor.

Penalties are not intended solely to punish the offender but must also act as a deterrent to other riders.

Balancing all factors, it was the opinion of the Committee that a suspension of 10 days and a fine of $1500.00 was an appropriate penalty.

We were mindful of the fact that the period of suspension includes the premier Manawatu Sires Produce day on March 28th.

JCA Decision Fields (raw)

Dmitry: This section contains all JCA fields migrated from the raw data.

Data from these fields should be mapped appropriately to display amongst the standard fields above; please make note of any values below that are missing in the above standard fields but should be there.

hearingid: 306758ab0f7417bb745ca6161c9885a9


informantnumber: A12317


horsename:


hearing_racingtype:


startdate: no date provided


newcharge: Careless Riding


plea: admitted


penaltyrequired: 1


decisiondate: 17/03/2020


hearing_title: Wellington RC 14 March 2020 - R 8 - Chair, Mrs N Moffatt


charge:


facts:

Following the running of Race 8 (Al Basti Equiworld Dubai New Zealand Oaks), an Information was lodged by Mr J Oatham alleging a breach of Rule 638 (1) (d) in that J Waddell angled his mount JENNIFER ECCLES outwards dictating KAROLINO (J Parkes) outwards onto KAIPAKI ROAD (D Johnson) who was crowded and checked passing the 500 metres.

Mr Waddell confirmed his understanding of the charge and his admission of the breach.

Mr Oatham had Mr Goodwin explain the incident using the videos. He said racing was already very tight as the large field of 18 runners approached the final turn. Mr Waddell (JENNIFER ECCLES), was positioned midfield on the fence when he angled off the running rail near the 500 metres to avoid a tiring runner in front. In doing so, Mr Waddell dictated KAROLINO (Mr Parkes) out onto KAIPAKI ROAD (D Johnson) who was crowded and forced to check. Mr Waddell then clipped a heel of the horse in front of him, SEVEN SEAS, and blundered badly before recovering and going on to win the race.

Mr Waddell said he came from a position on the fence to be in the one-off position. As a result, there was some tightening to other runners. Mr Waddell explained that he was riding the very short-priced favourite in the Oaks and using his words “ if it had been a maiden race there is no way in the world I would have done what I have done.” He said he doesn’t go out in Group 1 races to ride carelessly, but it was a risk you sometimes take in big races.


appealdecision:


isappeal:


submissionsfordecision:


reasonsfordecision:


Decision:

As Mr Waddell admitted the breach, it was deemed to be proved.


sumissionsforpenalty:

Mr Oatham presented Mr Waddell’s riding record, which showed two previous breaches in the last 12 month period encompassing 223 race day rides.

3/10/19-Waverley-8 days

25/1/20-Ellerslie--6 days (Group 3)

Mr Oatham described Mr Waddell’s level of carelessness today as being around the midrange.

The Committee invited Mr Waddell to make submissions on penalty. He said that compared to previous years, his riding record was very good, and it was something he had been working on improving. In regards to the degree of carelessness, Mr Waddell said he thought it was in the low range as his outward movement was only about 1 metre. It was unfortunate that there were tiring horses and tight racing.

Mr Wadddell advised he could begin any suspension immediately.


reasonsforpenalty:

The Committee considered all submissions.

There was no doubt that Mr Waddell rode carelessly when he angled off the fence on the hot favourite to seek clear racing room. The horse most affected was KAIPAKI ROAD who lost considerable ground when crowded between KAROLINO and the horse to its outside. In addition, Mr Waddell’s actions nearly brought down his own horse when JENNIFER ECCLES a clipped a heel.

We reject Mr Waddell’s assertion that this was a low-level breach. The large field and tight racing should have made Mr Waddell more cautious about moving off the rail. It was our opinion that the breach was at least midrange. Accordingly, we adopted a starting point of 8 days in line with the Judicial Penalty Guide.

There were several aggravating factors requiring an uplift in penalty. The breach occurred in the Group 1 New Zealand Oaks, an iconic black-type race with total stakes of $400,000. Mr Waddell won the race after a manoeuvre he admitted he would not have attempted in a maiden race. In these circumstances, we gave no credit for his admission of the breach. Mr Waddel’s record was treated as a neutral factor.

Penalties are not intended solely to punish the offender but must also act as a deterrent to other riders.

Balancing all factors, it was the opinion of the Committee that a suspension of 10 days and a fine of $1500.00 was an appropriate penalty.

We were mindful of the fact that the period of suspension includes the premier Manawatu Sires Produce day on March 28th.


penalty:

Accordingly, Mr Waddell’s license is suspended from the close of racing today Saturday, March 14th up to and including racing on Sunday, March 29th, 2020. In addition, there is a monetary penalty of $1500.00.


hearing_type: Hearing


Rules: 638(1)(d)


Informant: Mr J Oatham - Chief Stipendiary Steward


JockeysandTrainer: Mr J Waddell - Class A Rider


Otherperson: Mr N Goodwin - Stipendiary Steward


PersonPresent:


Respondent:


StipendSteward:


raceid: adffb99d39de870bd5f1a3e40f1c6fc0


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race_title: R 8


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meetdate: 14/03/2020


meet_title: Wellington RC - 14 March 2020


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name: Wellington RC